After over two decades on the sidelines as an assistant coach for the Aggies, Greg Chapla assumes a new role for the 2011 season, entering his first year as the Director of Football Operations.

In his Aggie tenure, he has served as a coach for running backs, special teams and tight ends. Chapla has also been the program's strength and conditioning specialist, as well as offensive line coach for the freshman team.

As running backs coach, he mentored three of the top six all-time Aggie rushers: Preston Jackson (1991-93), Jermaine Rucker (1995-96) and G.P. Muhammad (1995-98).

Like many of his colleagues on the Aggie staff, Chapla is an alumnus of UC Davis. He lettered two years as a running back, totalling 316 yards during the 1987 and 1988 seasons. Chapla also played two years at Butte College before transferring to the Aggie program.

A native of Orland, Calif., Chapla earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from UC Davis in 1989, then completed his master's degree in recreation administration from Sacramento State in 1997.

He and his wife Kathy reside in Davis with their daughters Hannah, Rebekah and Sarah. Chapla is an active member of the Grace Valley Christian Center, where he and offensive coordinator Mike Moroski have run a successful youth football camp.